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Arts
Pitt State Theatre opens its season with “Peter and the Starcatcher,” a wildly theatrical adventure that reimagines the famous lore of how Peter Pan, Wendy, and Captain Hook came to be.
The musical play, filled with imagination, comedy, and thrills for the hero in all of us, will be presented in the Dotty and Bill Miller Theater in the Bicknell Family Center for the Arts at Pittsburg State University on Thursday-Sunday, Oct. 22-25.
A ragtag group of orphan boys and a precocious young guardian of the stars join together to outwit a villainous pirate and protect a mysterious trunk with precious cargo.
Based on the best-selling novels by Dave Berry and Ridley Pearson and adapted for the stage by Rick Elice with music by Wayne Barker, the stage production was conceived in the style of story theater in which an ensemble of actors plays multiple roles and provides narration to tell a story. It’s a fun, fast-paced production.
“The actors play over 100 different roles, so they are constantly shifting from one character to the next. It’s a fantastic challenge for the actors to figure out how to physicalize and vocalize the changes so quickly while also taking the audience along on this madcap adventure,” said Associate Professor Megan Westhoff, the production’s director.
The emphasis is on imagination and make-believe.
“It’s not unlike reading a book out loud to a child and creating different voices to set the characters apart. The limitless possibility of imagination helps to bring the story to life,” said Westhoff.
The acting ensemble includes a mixture of students and community members.
Students include Hayley Schoeling (Girard) as Molly Aster, Ren Burton (Parker) as Prentiss, Eli Aikman (Mission) as Ted, Sean Harper (Wichita) as Grempkin, Bree Maxwell (Frontenac) as Alf, Joshua Webster (Olathe) as Mack, Sydney Patterson (Butler, Missouri) as Smee, Bailey Danner (Diamond, Missouri) as Fighting Prawn, and Wyatt Knoll (Merriam) as Hawking Clam.
Community members joining the acting ensemble include Jaxx Polomsky as Boy, Matthew Blunt as Mrs. Bumbrake, April Polomsky as Black Stache, Damaris Horn as Bill Slank, and Ty Parker as Captain Robert Falcon Scott.
The production staff includes Associate Instructional Professor Linden Little, scenic and lighting designer; Costume Designer and Wardrobe Supervisor Lisa Quinteros; and Megan Stoneberger Johnson, assistant director. Student Kendra Johnson (Girard) is the music director, and Megan Spiers (Pittsburg) is stage managing.
“Peter and the Starcatcher” will be performed 7:30 p.m. Oct. 22-24 and 2 p.m. October 24-25.
Tickets are $18 for the general public, $13 for under 17 or over 64, and are free to Pitt State students/faculty/staff with a valid Pitt State ID.
Tickets may be purchased at the University Ticket Office, 306 N. Broadway, from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday, or by calling 620-235-4796 during those hours.
They may be purchased online at pittstate.edu/tickets, or at the door approximately 30 minutes prior to curtain.
Throughout the theatre season, Pitt State Theatre is raising money to support the Spread the Loaf program, created by local restaurant, TOAST, and bakery, Pittsburg Bread Company. This community-based initiative seeks to help feed families in Southeast Kansas facing food insecurities.
“Our students enthusiastically chose to support the Spread the Loaf project this season and we’re incredibly thankful for Heather and Roger Horton’s efforts to help our local community,” said Westhoff.
— Pitt State —
